It’s no secret that life has highs and lows. None of us walking God’s green earth are immune to trials and tribulations. While this idea is known, it’s really never publicized. In fact, social media platforms tend to be our own personal highlight reel. I’m guilty of this in the sense that my posts are generally positive. However, if you’ve followed my running journey I have been open about injuries that have erased months of training. It’s soul crushing. Can I get an “amen” from my fellow athletes? Our passion is a part of our daily routine & when it’s taken away we feel lost.
In the last 10+ years of running I’ve paid my dues with blisters, rolled ankles, lost toenails, & sore muscles as I’d expect the majority of our community has experienced. But, none of these minor injuries compare to the setback of being sidelined completely. Regardless if you’ve been dealt a bad hand with an unforeseen injury, you’re getting back into shape postpartum, or you are just plain tired of being unhealthy, you’re at a new starting point. A fresh start, where comparisons should be cast to the waist side. Say what? Let me explain. Comparing yourself with your past, someone else’s middle, or your greatest hits is just detrimental in those moments. Don’t rob yourself of new found joy. Enjoy it. What is important to know is that with every setback there’s a comeback waiting to happen.
Allow me to elaborate in real time. This handsome devil pictured below is my husband Darren. He is also the proud owner of a BQ & PR with a marathon time of 2:59:29 acquired in March of this year (2019). The high!
Following this tremendous accomplishment Darren was delivered the news that he would need to have spinal surgery to correct a condition known as spinal stenosis & have his L3, 4, & 5 fused in the process. Talk about your peaks and valleys people!
I choose to tell Darren’s behind the scenes, one day, ESPN-worthy story because my two separate tibia stress fractures pale in comparison to what he endured this summer. Friends we are talking about some knock down, drag out days that followed this surgery. Nerve pain plagued each day leaving Darren feeling completely defeated. The low.
It was hard to watch & even harder for Darren to undergo as the patient. Crippling pain, fatigue, & no immediate end in sight, Darren was sure that he was facing his toughest season ever. To magnify the situation, I was in the midst of marathon training & just like when runners see anyone else running on a beautiful day, he was envious. Oh, you know I prayed. We all prayed. Each time the negative notions of regret or a future of complacency reared their ugly heads I challenged them with my most powerful assets. Faith & positivity. They won every time. You have to believe in your core that things will get better. I did. Darren would eventually follow. You have to choose on a daily basis whether you want to give in & let your situation control you, or if you’re going to show up ready for a new day’s opportunity. I purposely chose the word opportunity, because the fact of the matter is, if you’re waking up to a new day then you’ve been given a gift. An opportunity to show up. And that’s just what Darren did. With grueling steps, searing pain, & his motivation hanging in the balance, he took on each new day. Little did he know, he was writing the most important & initial chapters of his comeback story.
June, July, & August would go on to become the months that will forever hold a place in our minds following the surgery. There was no reason why Darren was given this ultimatum, but make no mistake, there’s was meaning. I explained to him one particularly tough day that when he finally looks back on the timeline of his life, this rough patch will be merely a blip in the span of his existence. From this time lessons were learned. Perspective was gained & the comeback continued unfolding.
Fast forward through the grit and grind of prescription changes, appointments, therapy, & impatience and here we are. With the green light given in early September, Darren has been slowly inching his way back to a place that we have coined “our minimum.” Five miles. Today, Darren & I went stride for stride on a five mile run for the first time early March. The miles were slow, meaningful, & celebrated. Lord knows the negative vibes tried to invade with thoughts of comparison, but we silenced each one with words of encouragement & positive energy. Folks, you have to reflect on your journey & realize that at one point you were praying just to have the chance to run again. Well, here it is, so celebrate each step of forward progress. Darren is registered for the 2020 Boston Marathon where we hope to take on the mother of all races as a power couple. His story is just getting started. Comebacks will ALWAYS be greater than setbacks. Stay driven.
Positive Strides 